John Wolyniec doesn’t understand what all the hubbub is about.
He thinks he is just a guy who did a job, one that he loved. But to the fans of the Red Bulls, Wolyniec is so much more. He is one of the most beloved players in the team’s history and that just baffles the former forward.
“It doesn’t make sense to me. I don’t get it,” he said Saturday before being honored at Red Bull Arena in a pregame ceremony. “I’m happy about it, proud of it. I’m glad that people liked coming to watch me play. I never thought of myself as someone who would bring fans to the stadium. I just wanted to play soccer and help my team win.”
Wolyniec wasn’t one of the most talented players, but he left it all on the field every time he stepped on it. One of the reasons he is so beloved by the Red Bulls fans is because he is one of them. He grew up in Staten Island and went to college at Fordham University in The Bronx. He’s held in similar regard to another Staten Island native – Nick Fotiu – with Rangers fans.
“I was probably one of the more relatable players to the average person, always struggling, always trying to get ahead,” he said. “I’m sure that had something to do with it.”
Of course, Wolyniec wouldn’t have had a 12-year MLS career if he didn’t score goals and he did so in a variety of ways, from the gritty crashing-the-net variety to the sublime. And he had a particular knack for coming off the bench to score late in games.
“I never really expected to be anything,” he said. “I just always tried to be better…I’ve always had an ability to score goals late in the games and score meaningful goals. I don’t know really what it is.”
Wolyniec’s most spectacular goal was his first-time left-footed volley on a long pass from Amado Guevara to lift the then-MetroStars over the Columbus Crew on Sept. 20, 2003 in overtime.
“I had a bunch of friends here today and that was one of the first games they came out to and enjoyed,” Wolyniec said.
The 33-year-old’s greatest moment as a professional came in the 2008 MLS Cup at the Home Depot Center when he netted an equalizer against the Crew.
“That was one of the best feelings I’ve ever had on the field because it was such a big game and, at the time, I thought it was a big goal,” Wolyniec said. “When you’re fighting so hard to get back into a game, those are the goals that mean a lot. That type of feeling is impossible to duplicate.”
It’s another goal from the magical 2008 postseason, rather his post-goal “Thriller” dance as the Red Bulls went on to stun the Dynamo in Houston that Wolyniec said he often fields questions about.
“Fans love to bring it up,” Wolyniec said. “It’s the first thing they say. I get asked to do it a lot. I refuse all requests.”
Those are some of the memories that came flooding back for Wolyniec moments before being honored Saturday night. And while he can always reminisce, it’s the day-to-day interaction with his teammates, the camaraderie, that he’ll miss the most.
“Probably the toughest part is seeing the guys get ready to go on the field and not be part of that,” he said.
After being cut by the Red Bulls to make way for Thierry Henry, Wolyniec formally announced his retirement on Sept. 9. But not before he tried to continue his playing career.
“I was released by the club, they were very gracious about it and told me they’d like to have me with the club [in a coaching capacity],” he said. “I went on to try to find a team to see if there was an opportunity there. There were a couple of opportunities that didn’t quite pan out, there were a couple of opportunities I turned down.”
What he didn’t turn down was a chance to remain a Red Bulls employee. Having already coached at his former club team (Silver Lakes) and his alma mater (Monsignor Farrell HS), Wolyniec is relishing the chance to work with some of the younger players in the Red Bulls’ Academy.
“Right now it’s a matter of me getting used to the way they do things, used to the staff, getting familiar with the kids,” Wolyniec said. “I’m taking it as an opportunity to do more individual stuff because the teams have head coaches.”
Wolyniec said he never says never, but he knows it’s unlikely another playing opportunity will come his way. And he’s come to terms with that.
“I’m definitely ready to move on,” he said. “I love being in this area. It was tough moving around. It was worth it because I love playing, but being 33, about to be 34, I don’t know if I have the energy to get up and move again.”
“Working with the Academy [is] fun, I’m enjoying it,” Wolyniec added. “It’s definitely a transition period, but at the same time I have to be grateful for what I have and what I’ve done and move on to the next thing.”
